Significant Life Event? There’s an App (and Jewish Blessing) for That
by Jacob Kamaras / JNS.org
JNS.org – Jewish tradition contains myriad blessings or “brachot”—trust me, I participated in many a summer camp or day school “bracha bee” as a youth—most of which apply to eating different foods, and others for specific life events. But not every occasion has been articulated in the Jewish liturgy. Enter the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly, which has rolled out “Sanctifull,” a smartphone app containing new blessings that speak to life’s critical moments for which there is no traditional Jewish text.
For instance, the app’s new blessings address life events such as putting a parent in the care of a nursing home or sending one’s children to school for the first time.
“This app is our latest endeavor to make Judaism’s wisdom accessible for Jews in the rhythm of their everyday experiences,” said Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly. “Our rabbis have created new prayers to accompany a variety of life’s moments that call out for a sacred connection and awaken their awareness to the richness of Jewish tradition.”
The app is available here.